What to look out for from the European Central Bank meeting | Fox News

English: The European Central Bank. Notice a s...

English: The European Central Bank. Notice a sculpture of the euro sign. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This article from Fox World News is worth a read. It questions whether the European Central Bank should give another push to an economy that’s not rolling fast enough to raise excessively low inflation? It suggests that’s the question facing the bank’s 25-member governing council when it meets Thursday at its skyscraper headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany.

Source: What to look out for from the European Central Bank meeting | Fox News

Personally, I would like to see further stimulus from the ECB. With national elections in both Germany and France in 2017, additional financial stimulus would be welcomed.

Because of the Euro and the EU’s fiscal constraint policy, individual Eurozone countries cannot decide their own fiscal policies – this has damaged growth in Southern Europe and austerity has been the prevailing policy for too. One important lesson from Brexit is that voters feel passionately about both immigration and excessive austerity.

If I were a betting man, I’d go for more stimulus on Thursday from the ECB.

Thoughts?

Japan eyes more foreign workers, stealthily challenging immigration taboo | The Japan Times

The torii of Itsukushima Shrine, the site's mo...

The torii of Itsukushima Shrine, the site’s most recognizable landmark, appears to float in the water. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Byōdō-in Phoenix Hall, Uji Kyoto Japa...

English: Byōdō-in Phoenix Hall, Uji Kyoto Japan, 1059. 日本語: 平等院鳳凰堂、京都府宇治市、1059年。 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hanami celebrations under the cherry blossoms ...

Hanami celebrations under the cherry blossoms in Ueno Park, Tokyo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: A Shinkansen awaiting passengers in T...

English: A Shinkansen awaiting passengers in Tokyo. Français : Un Shinkansen attendant ses passagers à Tōkyō. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Kongōbu-ji in Mount Kōya, Wakayama pr...

English: Kongōbu-ji in Mount Kōya, Wakayama prefecture, Japan. 日本語: 高野山の金剛峯寺, 和歌山県高野町 Camera: DSLR-A700 Lens: SAL1680Z (Carl Zeiss) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Japan Times reports that by desperately seeking an antidote to a rapidly aging population, Japanese policymakers are exploring ways to bring in more foreign workers without calling it an immigration policy.

Source: Japan eyes more foreign workers, stealthily challenging immigration taboo | The Japan Times

Japan has two choices. With an increasingly aging population, it can wither and die as a major economy. Or Japan must sweep taboos aside and openly embrace immigration.

If Japan tries to fudge the issue, like Germany did for decades with guest workers from Turkey, it will like Germany be outmaneuvered by a country like Turkey. In a generation, Germany will be a totally multi-ethnic country possibly under Sharia Law.

The Japanese are right to tread warily.